Scientists who discovered a third form of magnetism win major physics prize
Physicists have uncovered a hidden third form of magnetism that challenges more than 100 years of established physics.
Physicists have uncovered a hidden third form of magnetism that challenges more than 100 years of established physics.
The short version
- Called altermagnetism, the discovery could transform future computing and electronics while opening an entirely new frontier in quantum research.
- Scientists have uncovered a previously unknown form of magnetism, overturning an understanding of magnetic behavior that had stood for more than a century.
- The discovery, known as altermagnetism, has revealed a third fundamental category of collinear magnetism and opened new possibilities for quantum materials, advanced electronics, and future computing technologies.
What happened
"This award recognizes a fundamental discovery that challenged one of the most established paradigms in condensed matter physics," said Professor Jairo Sinova, Director of the Spin Phenomena Interdisciplinary Center (SPICE) at Mainz University. During that period, Šmejkal played a leading role in developing the theoretical framework behind altermagnetism.
Why it matters
By combining advanced mathematical approaches to symmetry with spintronics, which studies how electron spin can be used in electronic devices, the researchers identified a previously unrecognized pattern of magnetic behavior.
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